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I am writing this letter to share with your readers my recent experience with the health care system and the importance that something be done to change it. I am a 43-year old single male who is self-employed and has no health insurance.
Last week I began to pass a kidney stone. After several days I became concerned and reluctantly headed for the Emer- gency Room. Once there they began an IV of saline to hydrate me and administered medication to control my pain. The doctor also ordered a CT scan. I was prescribed pain medication and was told to continue to drink plenty of fluids and was released. The total time I had spent there was approximately three hours.
I went home and eventually passed the stone and was beginning to feel much better — until I received the bill in the mail.
The total amount due for the emergency room visit was $7,908.25! That does not include the fee for the doctor on duty or for the technician to read the CT scan; I will be billed separately for those.
I think it is obvious that I decided not to seek treatment for the heart attack!
Alan Rollins
Grass Valley
Last week I began to pass a kidney stone. After several days I became concerned and reluctantly headed for the Emer- gency Room. Once there they began an IV of saline to hydrate me and administered medication to control my pain. The doctor also ordered a CT scan. I was prescribed pain medication and was told to continue to drink plenty of fluids and was released. The total time I had spent there was approximately three hours.
I went home and eventually passed the stone and was beginning to feel much better — until I received the bill in the mail.
The total amount due for the emergency room visit was $7,908.25! That does not include the fee for the doctor on duty or for the technician to read the CT scan; I will be billed separately for those.
I think it is obvious that I decided not to seek treatment for the heart attack!
Alan Rollins
Grass Valley
